American Bar AssociationSection of Criminal Justice Section

Criminal Justice Section Newslettervol. 7, issue 2 Spring 1999

CJS Council Meeting and Science-Law Conference Springing into San Diego, CA

Put a trip to San Diego on your calendar for this spring, and take advantage of two Criminal Justice programs taking place back to back. The first event is the National Conference on Science and the Law, April 15-16, 1999 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina (see sidebar); the second is the Criminal Justice Section Spring Council Meeting, April 16-18, 1999, at the Horton Grand Hotel.

The National Conference on Science and the Law will:

examine how science and emerging technology can be used in trials; their limitations; advantages and potential pitfalls;

discuss the use of expert witnesses, and scientific and demonstrative evidence in trials;

sharpen participants' understanding of the way jurors and the scientific community use and react to courtroom use of science and technology.

MCLE credit has been requested. Registration is $150 per person.Conference cosponsors include the National Institute of Justice, ABA Criminal Justice Section, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the National Center for State Courts.

The Criminal Justice Spring Council Meeting and related activities begin April 16. These include meetings of several specialty committees, and a welcome reception. There is no cost to attend the Spring Criminal Justice Council Meeting or related activities. For a full schedule and registration form for both the National Conference on Science and the Law and the Spring Council Meeting, please e-mail kleins@staff.abanet.org or call 202/662-1512.

Enjoy San Diego during two Criminal Justice Section events, April 15-18, 1999.

Gaming Law Enforcement - Explore a Growing Practice AreaThe spread of legalized gaming across the country brings with it an opportunity for attorneys to expand their practices into this exciting new field.

The third ABA National Institute on Gaming Enforcement will be held April 22-23, 1999 at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Las Vegas. This MCLE-accredited program is designed for both newcomers to gaming law and experienced counsel who may not have encountered the challenges of a federal or state investigation or prosecution. Panelists include state gaming enforcement directors, chairpersons of national gaming commissions, and experts in financial recovery. To receive your registration packet, please call 202/662-1512

Committees Accepting New MembersAs a Criminal Justice Section member, you are invited to join the specialty committees of the Section. There is no cost; committee membership is a benefit of belonging to CJS. Committees work on challenging projects throughout the year, including developing MCLE programs, writing journal articles, and reviewing pending legislation. The following committees are currently accepting new members:

Corrections & Sentencing

Defense Function/Services

International Criminal Law

Juvenile Justice

Prosecution Function

Race & Racism in the Criminal Justice System

Forfeitures, Other Civil Remedies, & RICO

Rules of Criminal Procedure and Evidence

Science and Technology

Victims

White Collar Crime and its regional subcommittees

Women in the Criminal Justice Community

For a page of committee descriptions or to join, call the Section at 202/662-1512, or e-mail kleins@staff.abanet.org.

Committees members meet and work with colleagues from around the country.

Health Care Fraud National Institute Set for Miami in May"Health Care Fraud 1999", the ninth annual National Institute cosponsored by the ABA and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, is set for Miami, FL, May 13-15, 1999 at the Eden Roc Hotel. This program presents a rewarding educational experience for health care attorneys, regulators, prosecutors, and criminal defense attorneys. Drawing panelists from each of these significant interest groups, the National Institute offers unique opportunities to meet and share experiences and concerns in a non-adversarial setting.

Panel discussions, small workshops with significant faculty interaction, and a trial practice demonstration make this a valuable-and economical-program for practitioners. For a program brochure, call the ABA Criminal Justice Section at 202/662-1512 or e-mail kleins@staff.abanet.org.

New Section PublicationsThe Criminal Justice Section has released two new publications. "The Federalization of Criminal Law" is the culmination of a two-year study conducted by a Section Task force chaired by former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese. The 269-page report discusses and documents the increasing number of federal statutes criminalizing conduct traditionally prosecuted by state and local officials.

The Section's annual publication, "The State of Criminal Justice," gives a statistical snapshot of criminal justice issues such as those relating to drug offenses, crime rates, racial disparity in the justice system, and criminal court caseloads.

Both publications may be ordered through the ABA Service Center at (800) 285-2221. The Federalization report is $10.00 plus handling. Its product code is 509-0074. "The State of Criminal Justice" is $12.00, and its product code is 509-0073.

Royalties are available for authors publishing through the Criminal Justice Section.

Mark Your Calendars for CLEThe Criminal Justice Section welcomes your participation in the following MCLE programs. As an added benefit, all programs offer Section members a discount on their tuition. For more information and to be placed on the mailing list for programs that interest you, please call 202/662-1512 or e-mail kleins@staff.abanet.org. Course books and audiotapes are available for purchase after most conferences by calling the ABA Service Center toll-free at (800) 285-2221.

1999-2000 Council Slate Selected:Elections will take place August 8, 1999 in Atlanta, GA at the ABA Annual Meeting.

On February 7, 1999, at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Century City, CA, the Criminal Justice Section Nominating Committee selected the following slate of candidates for election to Section offices during the 1999-2000 year:

Bruce M. Lyons Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Section Chairperson)

Professor Ronald Smith Chicago, IL (Vice Chair for Planning)

Michael Pasano Miami, FL (Vice Chair for Governmental Affairs)

Carol Garfiel Freeman Washington, DC (Vice Chair for Publications)

Amie Clifford North Charleston, SC (Vice Chair for CLE and Professional Development)

Neal R. Sonnett Miami, FL (Section Delegate to the House of Delegates)

Council Members (3-year seats)

William Edwards San Diego, CA

· Joe D. Whitley Atlanta, GA

Stanley Greenberg Los Angeles, CA

Yong Jun An Houston, TX

Barbara Berman Milwaukee, WI

One-year seat:

David Simon Joshua Tree, CA

Unexpired Council Term:

Ron Weich Washington, D.C.

Council Member at Large Seat:

Nominations are made by submitting a petition by June 8, 1999, to the Section Chairperson. The person elected to this position by the Section membership at the Annual Meeting serves a one-year term.

For details on the bylaw provisions related to the Member at Large seat or election procedures, contact Section Director Thomas C. Smith at the Criminal Justice Section Office, 202/662-1510.

The Section election for these positions will be held Sunday, August 8, 1999 at the ABAAnnual Meeting in Atlanta, GA.

Plan Now to Attend the ABA Annual Meeting: Atlanta 1999

The 1999 ABA Annual Meeting is just around the corner, so take advantage of the early-bird savings by registering before May 28. If you have attended in the past, a registration form will be automatically sent to you. Newcomers may request a registration form by calling the CJS Office at 202/662-1500.

Save $50 by registering before May 28, 1999!

Want to know more about the Annual Meeting? Try the Annual Meeting Automated Voice Mail at 312/988-5870, or access the American Bar Association Home Page on the Internet at www.abanet.org. Both the internet and voice mail are updated regularly with new meeting information, events, and speakers.

In addition, be sure to watch for the May issue of the ABA Journal. It will include an Annual Meeting insert with important information on the educational programs (MCLE) to be offered in Atlanta.